Confessions of a Coupon Mom Series: CVS Free Haul Vlog

Walgreens Clearance Sale

Went into Walgreens to buy the 6 pack bar soap of Dial, that was BOGO free. I had (2) $1 off of one coupons. Then I see that a lot of their soaps and bodywashes were on clearance. I hurried  home to make sure that I had coupons for everything.  I have been stockpiling soaps and bodywashes already,  so I literally had to stop myself from clearing the shelves. I walked away paying $15.15, and I bought (3) 6 packs of bar soaps (1 Dove and 2 Dial), and 6 bodywashes  (2 Nivea, 2 Dial, 1 Irish Spring and 1 Suave).
Score for the single mom!

Confessions of a Coupon Mom Series: Getting paid to take items out of the store!

So the story goes: I walked into the store with (1) $5 store credit and (2) $2 coupons. I bought (2) Colgate Toothpaste on sale for $3.49 and received $4 worth of care bucks (which is like a store credit) with the buy.

I also bought a pack of one of my kids favorite candy, which is on sale for $2 and it produced a $2 care buck.

Lastly I bought a bottle of Soft Soap hand soap on sale for $1.88, with a $1 carebuck attached.

I also had and used an in-app CVS coupon that stated that I would save $2 if I bought 2 Colgate toothpaste. (CVS send you coupons to download to your card weekly.)

My total came up to $10.88+ tax. I used my CVS $2 coupon, my (2) manufacturer Colgate coupons, and my $5 Carebuck. This brought my total down to $0. Due to the fact that you have to pay tax on food items, I had to pay .17 cent tax for the candy I bought.

The best part of it all is that I received $7 worth of care bucks from my purchases. So basically, I was paid an extra $2 to take those 4 products out of the store.

Score for The One Single Mom!

Confessions of a Coupon Mom Series: How to reduce mistakes at the register

Stockpiling is very joyous for me, but can also be very tiring. That's why I suggest that you stockpile for 3 months out of the year, to last you for the next 12 months. I plan on spending about $300 total (I have spent half of that since starting on March 31st). $300 is $25/month for 12 months. This includes all household paper and toiletry needs. I will do a seperate posts about the science of stockpiling,  and how to gear it around you and your family needs. ( The: What, When, Where, How, and Why) Today I wanted to deal with the mental preparedness of stockpiling, and how to decrease/avoid setbacks.

Sometimes the deals that you choose don't always work perfectly once you get to the store for multiple reasons, but don't let that discourage you. Especially if you're new to this. I've been doing it for years, and still mess up sometimes.
Here are some tips to help you avoid making mistakes at the register:

1. Know your store's coupon policy. There's nothing worse than getting to the register and hearing " I'm sorry ma'am, we can't take this coupon".

2. Make a list, and check it twice. It's always good to bring a list with you in order to keep you on track and on budget. With Couponing and deals, it's real easy to go bananas in the store, and pick up things, you didn't have a desire for initially.

3. Have your coupons ready to go. Seperate the coupons you will be using for this trip away from your general coupon folder. There is nothing more embarrassing than going through 300 coupons at the register to find that one .50 cent off coupon. It can make you anxious, and when you get anxious you can make mistakes.

4. Make sure to match the size of the item you're purchasing,  with the deal in the sales ad. This is a simple mistake to make. The 16.9oz item is on sale, but you mistakenly grab the 16oz. Just by overlooking that .9oz. you can throw your calculations off with your deal. All couponers know that missing out on a .50 cent savings can ruin your mood after shopping.

5. Try to do your deals at a low volume traffic time. It can be a little nerve racking when you're trying to do your deals, and there is 10 people in the line behind you. Going at a time when there's less traffic in the store can help ease that feeling. This time can be different for different stores. Early mornings and late afternoons are not the best times, as people are going to work or getting off from work and trying to make a "quick" run into the store.

6. Lastly, make sure to check your receipt before you leave the store. That way any mistake, oversight, or unused coupon can be handled right then and there. Leaving the store can change the dynamics of your purchase that may not be able to be fixed.

Okay guys, that's all I have today. My stockpile is coming along great, and I look forward to sharing the upcoming deals that I find with you. Below you can see what I have so far. Share any pics that you have of your stockpile as well. Until next time, signing off, OSM

Confessions of a Coupon Mom: The Tiny Stockpile Haul

Stockpiling and Couponing is a passion of mine that its hard to explain to people that don't share this passion. But for those of you who do, here is a mini haul that I did today.

If you can remember the last time I was in CVS, I received a $5 carebuck that I didn't use. Well I decided to put it into good use today. I decided to get 1 Speed Stick deodorant for my son (on sale for $4, and I had a $2 off coupon), 2 Ajax dish detergents (on sale totally for $1.76, and I had 2 coupons totaling .64 cents), and 2 fruit granola bars( on sale 2/$2, and i had a .50 cent off of 2 coupon). That brought my total to $4.62, and I used my $5 carebuck to pay for it, and it cost me .07 cents out of pocket in tax (how that happened, I'm not sure)  Also, I received a $2 carebuck in return for the deodorant, and a $1 carebuck for the granola bars.

Then in a 2nd transaction,  I purchased a 9 double roll of Scott tissue, it was on sale for $4.99, and I had a $2 CVS coupon and a $1 manufacturer coupon. This brought my total down to $1.99. I used my $2 carebuck received in the previous transaction, and in some strange way tax was reduced, and I had a .70 cent credit, which caused me to get (2) .33 cent caramel candies to clear my total out at $0. So I paid nothing out of pocket.

Score for the Coupon Mom!!!! Also, I still have my $1 carebuck to use for later. 

I also wanted to bring up one other thing while om talking about couponing. I have never tasted these fruit granola bars that i bought, but when things are on sale and you have a coupon for them, you should give a new item a try. The sale I received was basically getting 2 for .50 cent, so I'll try one, and if I don't like it, I can give the second one with a homeless person or someone else who may enjoy this item. When Couponing you may not have a need in your household for every deal that you see, but think of those around you. How can you benefit someone else in need with your Couponing gift? I'm not suggesting that you spend a large amount on things you won't use, but if you see a deal, that may benefit someone else, and it won't cost you that much out of pocket, go for it!

Well thats all I have for now, so until next time guys, I'm signing off, OSM

Confessions of a Coupon Mom

Today started off as any other day. I wanted to go to Walgreens to check out the Dial Hand Soap that was on sale for $6.99 and then they were BOGO free, and I had a $1 coupon when you buy 2.

Little did I know that my early morning trip would take an unexpected turn. I saw that Walgreens had the Arm and Hammer deodorants on sale for .99 cent, so I snagged  up 3.

Then I saw that the Shea Moisture had their soap on sale for $3.99, and guess who had a $2 coupon? Me, that's who! So I snagged 1 of those. 

I was a little disappointed though, the hand soap that I went in there for, they only had 1 bottle left....how am I going to utilize a BOGO free if there is only 1 bottle???? Just when I was about to get upset, I looked up and saw that the Dial and Tone body washes were also BOGO free, and I remembered that I had $1.50 off of 1 coupons at home. 2 to be exact.

In true Coupon Mom fashion, I went home and located my 2 coupons, and added them to my coupon book for later.

Once it was time for my lunch break I headed out to a different Walgreens,  and sure enough, I was able to get my Dial Hand Soap,  and I got 2 Tone body washes.  I bought (4) 52 ounce refill bottles of Dial Hand Soaps, used both of my $1 off of 2 coupons, and paid $12. I also used both of my $1.50 off of 1 body was coupons, and bought 2 Tone bodywashes, and paid $2 for it.

Then I headed over to CVS, they had a deal that you get a $5 Extra Care Buck when you bought 2 Nivea body washes. I had a coupon for $3 off of 2 bodywashes, and I had a store coupon for $2 off of any body wash $6 or more.  Needless to say, I spent $7 on the bodywashes and received a $5 carebuck!

Today was a great stockpiling day, all in all I spent $28 out of pocket, and I walked away with a $5 CVS Care Buck for next time!

The Mommy's Hour Week 1: Relaxation

I don't know about you, but for me I spend a lot of time focusing on everything but myself. That's not to say that you should spend every waking moment thinking about you, but in order to have a healthy balance in life you have to put self care before anything. That's why I  wanted to create a self focusing time called "The Mommy's Hour".  And not just  for mommy's, as women period, we have a tendency to put ourselves last on the list, behind significant others, family, work, household responsibilities, and the list could go on and on.

I thought of this idea when I was asked " what do you enjoy doing?", and the question gave me pause. I literally needed to stop and take some time to think "Hmmm what do I enjoy doing?" The fact that it took me a while to come up with an answer truly disturbed me. I was more disappointed in myself that I don't take the time needed to explore the things that I enjoy, and also that I'm not actively doing those things.

I decided to challenge myself, come up with a list of things that I love or would love to do, and to take 1 hour per week to consciously do those things. This week I chose to do a long bubble bath. I used to love to take long bubble baths, now I mostly shower, showers are quick and to the point right?!?! Something as simple as that! I have a ton of bubble bath products, sitting around collecting dust,  just waiting to be used. That has to end!


Tonight was my week 1. I'm also going to challenge you to look into your life and find 1 hour per week, where you do nothing but focus on yourself, and the things that YOU love to do. No matter how big or small that thing is. Don't forget to share them below, so that we can inspire each other.

Until next time, I'm signing off, OSM

Creamy Italian Chicken

Hello guys! I found this great deal at the Farmers Fresh Market. I have been busy making freezer crock pot meals that I found on youtube. My goal is to show you affordable meals th at you can make for your family.

My first dish was this delicious Creamy Italian Chicken dish. My kids loved it, hopefully yours will too.

Ingredients:
1 8oz pack of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 10oz can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 packet of Dry Italian Dressing
1 and 1/2 pounds of drumsticks

Spray your crockpot with Pam. Combine the chicken and the Italian packet along with your favorite seasonings (Garlic Powder,  Season Salt, Onion Powder) inside of the Crock Pot. Cook on high for 4 hours (low for 6-8). After 4 hours add in the Cream Cheese and Cream of Mushroom to the chicken and cook for another hour stirring occasionally. Serve over mashed potatoes with a side of corn.

Weekly, Bi-Weekly, and Bi-Monthly Savings Challenge

Hello guys! So in my 6 month No Spend Must Save Money Challenge, I talked about saving $250/month. This is my long term goal to save for an ongoing emergency fund. I also wanted to save money to be able to make large purchases (anything over $300) in cash, and not have to use credit to fund these purchases. I thought about it, and for me right now, I did not want to mix the 2 savings efforts. I thought that the 52 week money savings challenge would be a perfect way to start to build a savings for these purchases. Now unless you have been living under a rock, I'm sure you have seen those 26 and 52-week savings challenges floating around right? Well I sure have seen them too many times to have not participated in them a long time ago. That all stops today for me! I am ready to start my savings challenge and take you guys along with me. Are you ready to save??? You can save it in a jar, as I have seen that some people do, but I would advise that you save it in a savings account. If you do not have a savings account, most banks will let you open an account with a minimum of $25 and mostly all credit unions will let you open an account with only $5. Now if you already have a savings account, you can start this challenge in that account or open a vacation or holiday club account to start this challenge. The best way to get this right without having to change your deposits each time you get paid is to schedule deposit transfers from your checking to your savings account for the whole year on each pay date. I know, I know, it sounds long and exhausting, but it is actually not. It took me about 20 minutes to do. I advise you to go down the list I will provide below, and write your corresponding pay date next to the amount before you get started with doing your transfers. The savings starts off small, and increases gradually at each paycheck. Once you get towards the end of the year when the amount starts to increase, you should have developed a discipline for your savings pattern, and should be a long way away from temptation(hopefully). Will you join me? I am excited to start! If you get paid weekly, you are only in for $1 for this week, us bi-weekly folks start off at $3, now I know we can do that! If you get paid twice a month, like on the 1st and the 15th or the 15 and the 30th, then use the twice a month chart that is also listed below. It is slightly different because you only have 24 weeks of savings and you start off saving $6.  The goal is to get us used to the idea of saving money without it feeling like you are going broke for saving. If you fall off just pick yourself back up wherever you left off. I will be doing monthly updates so we can discuss our progress and talk about different goals to save for, whether it be an emergency fund, a house, a car, or just a lavish shopping trip at the end of the year. Whatever it is! If it's important to you, it's worth saving for.

Well guys until next time, I'm signing off, OSM.

Copy and paste the link below for a printable version of these forms in PDF.

file:///C:/Users/marshall/Documents/Savings%20Challenges1.pdf

Truth Moment:

This post is a little more personal in nature, so I wanted to start this post off with a one-time disclaimer. In my introduction post, I stated that I would be as authentic and transparent as much as I could possibly be throughout my blog. With that being said, whenever I have a #truthmoment, I am not looking for sympathy, empathy, kudos, or pity. I just want to be as honest as I can, and sometimes in life, things can get a tad bit sketchy, my hope is that I learn a lesson out of the moment, and hopefully you can learn something from my experience as well. Now these lessons that I learned is not some huge new thing, but when something happens personally to you, you can understand these “life messages” more clearly. First I will tell you a snippet of my experience, then I will tell you what I have learned.

So my sister, my 2 kids and I have an early Monday morning flight (6:30AM) back home to Houston from Los Angeles, CA, and we get a text/email that our flight has been canceled and rescheduled to the next day at 5:30AM. We get in contact with an agent, and get our flight rescheduled to 7:03PM (yes I’m being specific) for Monday night. We get to the airport nice and early at 4:00PM, and await our 7:03 flight. First they delay the flight, 30 minutes, then an hour, then they come back and let us know that due to weather conditions in another city, our plane cannot get to LA, and they cannot find another plane or crew to take us back to Houston. So basically our flight was canceled. They tell us go to customer service or/and call their 800 number to get the flight rescheduled. I then go stand in this 3-hour line, and call their 800 number. After being on hold for 2 hours 38 minutes and 3 seconds, the nice gentleman in front of me (who was only on hold for 1 and a half hours mind you), lets me speak with the agent when he was done. So we basically get a flight leaving Tuesday (the next day) at 2:00PM. Now mind you it’s 11:00PM, I’m at the airport with my sister and my 2 kids, and they are basically telling me that they can’t get us out of here until 15 hours later. Then when I finally get to the front of the 3-hour line, I am told that United will not be accommodating a room for the night nor providing any food vouchers. They did tell me that they have cheap hotel rooms nearby, and gave us a number to call, and the cheapest room would be $60, and the shuttle buses had already stopped running for the night, so if I booked the room I would also have to take a cab or Uber to get there. I could get into a whole tangent about United Airlines and their customer service, or a lack of it, but not that’s not what this post is about. I just want you to understand my mind frame at the time: It’s 11:00PM, our flight will not leave for another 15 hours, my kids, my sister, and myself have not eaten since this morning, I only have $40 to my name, I’m going to have to pay additional fees for my car being parked at the airport longer (United will not accommodate this either), and we are going to have to sleep in this airport overnight, and I don’t have any way to get back to the place where I was staying. Now to some people, this may not be such a big thing, but for me, I was HUGE, and I was truly. As I sat up at 3AM keeping an eye out on our belongings, I started to ponder through a ton of things, I will share 3 of them with you:

1. The first thing I wanted to say is to ALWAYS Follow your first mind-The devil never had a first thought, when your heavenly father speaks to you, it’s the devils job to oppose. Okay so another truth moment….So I’m in my shower, balling crying, literally breaking down, because I cannot afford to go on this trip to California. I have a ton of things that I have to handle for my household and the cost associated with this trip is just not feasible for me at this time. Then in a moment of clarity in the shower, my mind tells me to notify my family, that as much as I would love to be there with them and share the holidays with them, I just cannot afford it at this time. But did I listen??? No I didn’t! I started to worry about the questions that my family will ask me, and the look on my kids face when I tell them that we are not going. I truly learned, that when you are in a position of clarity, you must, must, must, follow that thought, because when you have a breakdown, the body and mind will go into self-save mode and clarity is born. Worrying about what others may say, think, and feel, is not even in the equation at this time. When you ignore that clarity moment, your mind will not let you forget that “it told you so”.  Listen to yourself! Don’t get me wrong, I truly enjoyed being with my family, but at several times during my trip, I was mindful at the fact that I should have followed my first mind.

2.  The next thing is to strive for Financial Freedom-I will never forget, when I first signed up to the social media platform Periscope, and I saw a live broadcast from Nicole “Scoprah” Walters, and she was in an airport with a canceled flight, and she would be stuck at that location overnight. She talked about the fact that a lot of people that was on her flight, was scrounging and scrambling around to make plans for this flight cancellation and preparations for this unexpected overnight stay. I will never forget her saying that the fact that she was financially free, she was able to reserve a hotel room for herself and order room service and be comfortable until her flight the next day. That message from her has always stuck with me, and it’s funny how I found myself in that same predicament, yet I was on the other end of the spectrum.  Here I am with $40 to my name, 2 hungry kids, nowhere to go, stuck in an airport for what would be 22 hours. Now granted, in the end, my sister and I may have concluded that “paying for a hotel room doesn’t make sense right now, let’s just stay at the airport that way if an earlier flight becomes available, we’ll be here”. The difference is (a)having a choice to make the decision vs (b) being forced into a situation out of desperation and no other choices. Even before this situation happened, I knew I had to make a change with my relationship with money, but this just solidified my conviction to make better choices and sacrifice to have that financial freedom.

3.   Lastly I learned that Funny Things Can Happen in a Time of Crisis-I will make this last one short and sweet. Here I am stressed out, worried, angry, and regretful, and as I am tucking my daughter into her bed/chairs, she says to me “mama this was fun, I want to do this again!” (my son later said the he had a great time as well) It took a moment for that to sink in for me, but as I started to ponder, on it a calmness came over me, and all of that anxiety that I had just went away. Don’t get me wrong, would I rather to be in someone’s hotel room eating room service? Uh Yeah!!! It’s just the fact that my kids took this experience as something positive that they actually enjoyed, made me realize that 1. A “crisis” is not the end of the world. 2. Your kids are more resilient than you give them credit for. And 3. Use every moment in life as a teaching moment, learn the lesson, and adjust accordingly. We won’t always be prepared for life’s changes, but it’s what you make of it and what you take away from it that makes all the difference.

Well guys that’s my 3 lessons, I know this was little bit lengthy, and it took me a few days to write, because I wanted to write this with as much integrity and pride as possible. I hope these lessons provokes thought with you, it definitely did for me. If you have any life lessons that you have learned and adapted that you’d like to share, please do so in the comments below. Until next time, I’m signing off, OSM